TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design), a small nonprofit is dedicated to making “ideas worth spreading” available to the world. It began in 1984 as a conference that brought together people from the three disciplines listed in its name. Along with two conferences per year they also sponsor the TEDTalks website. This article focuses on the website and the available content.
What is TEDTalks?
TEDTalks started as a collection of videos from the various TED conferences. They were then made available online for those wishing to see them. It adopted the motto: “Ideas Worth Spreading.” A global audience, numbering in the millions, was attracted. The goal is to provide everyone on the planet with on-demand access to the various presentations. To make these programs truly international in scope, translations are necessary. TED started an Open Translation Project with 250 translations, 50 languages, and 100 volunteer translators. Within a year they had over 7,000 completed translations.
Topics Covered by TEDTalks
The topics covered by TEDTalks cover a wide range of interests. Most of the videos are presentations by specialists in their respective fields. But TEDTalks is not limited to brainy, nerdy stuff. Don’t forget the “E” in TEDTalks represents entertainment. Some videos have performances by vocalists, musicians, magicians and other entertainers. Along with the areas of Technology, Entertainment, and Design, TEDTalks also includes topics that deal with:
- Business
- Science
- Global Issues
The subject matter may be historical, current events, how-to create/build/make, straight entertainment, or even whimsical:
- When Ideas Have Sex: Matt Ridley
- The Oil Spill’s Unseen Culprits, Victims: Carl Safina
- Johnny Lee Demos Wii Remote Hacks (create an interactive light board with a Wii controller for about $40).
- La Vie en Rose: Thomas Dolby and Rochelle Garnier
- Last Ditch Effort to Save a Planet: Jor-El, Kryptonian scientist and father of Kal-El, aka Superman
Each video has a written introduction, a bio of the presenter, a suggestion for the next related video to view, along with a short list of similar topics available.
Speakers of TEDTalks
All TEDTalk speakers are working professionals in their field. The speakers for TEDTalks may be unknowns or have a celebrity all their own. Readers may be familiar with this brief sampling of presenters:
- Al Gore
- Bill Gates
- Jane Goodall
- Steve Jobs
- Temple Grandin
Ideas Worth Spreading to the World
Along with translating TEDTalk presentations into multiple languages, licensing of the material is based on Creative Commons guidelines as opposed to standard copyright. This allows viewers to share videos via copying, transmitting and distribution. Limitations are simple and straight forward:
- give full attribution as specified by the author.
- no commercial use
- no derivative works
The original purpose of TED was to provide a platform for leaders in the fields of Technology, Entertainment, and Design. After achieving this, the goal is to share those ideas and spread them around the globe. TEDTalks plays a big part in attaining that objective.
For those interested in this aspect of TEDTalk, a visit to TEDTalks Usage Policy page is advised.
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